Elasticity of Rubber

Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after it has been stretched. The force that you apply to the material is known as stress. There is a limit to the amount of stress one can apply to a material before it reaches its ‘elastic limit’ and deforms irreversibly.

Materials like rubber have a high elasticity. This is because it is made up of millions of long and bendable chains of molecules. You can apply stress on these chains in any direction, but they will always return to their original shape. Ever wonder what holds your underpants up or why a rubber band stretches so much?

Rubber can be harvested from the rubber tree by making an incision in the bark and collecting the white sap that oozes out. This liquid is known as latex and is completely natural. Ammonia is added to natural latex to keep it from hardening before it goes through a chemical process to enhance its strength and durability. It is then distributed to different factories to make rubber bands, balls, elastic, and many things you use daily.

THINGS TO DO

Find a pair of old socks or underwear which you are going to throw away. Stretch out the elastic to its limit. Would you be able to use them ever again?

Make a rubber band projectile.

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